More than 60 million people in the United States use Craigslist every month, and the website gets about 50 billion page views monthly. That's a lot of traffic, which is why Craigslist's online marketplace is an ideal place to buy and sell goods and services. It's also a great advertising vehicle for people with houses for rent. If you want to reach renters in your community, Craigslist is a good place to find them. It's free to post an ad, which makes Craigslist more appealing than others that require a subscription or a fee.

Site Navigation

Find the Craigslist page for your city or area. On craigslist.com you can select the state and city that reflects your market.

Click on the "post to classifieds" tab on the top left part of the page. Choose "housing offered" when you are asked to select the type of ad you want to post. Complete the information by typing the requested details into the boxes provided. You will be able to create a title for your post, identify the location of the house you are renting and write a description of what you have to offer. Click "continue" and upload some pictures to go with your advertisement. Click "continue" again to see a preview of your ad. Make any changes, or click the "continue" button once more if you are ready to post your ad.

Follow all fair housing laws. Before you post your ad, you will see a highlighted link on how to avoid discrimination in your ad. Read this guide before you start writing so you avoid getting into trouble.

Check your email. Craigslist will send you a link that you must follow in order to activate your ad. Don't forget to agree to the site's terms of service by clicking the box that says you agree.

Re-post your ad after it expires, if you have not found a desired tenant yet. The length of time your ad stays active depends on the market in which your house is located.

Ad Content

Write a description that includes specific information that will make your property appealing. For example, instead of "three bedrooms" say "three large bedrooms" or "three remodeled bedrooms."

Post good photographs. You want to show people the interior and exterior of the home, as well as certain details that will help generate interest, such as a fireplace, stainless steel appliances or a finished basement.

Keep your contact information easy to find. Your ad should include your phone number and an email address.

Tip

Consider including the property address with your ad. This will allow people to drive by the house before contacting you for a showing. If they decide they don't like it, you won't waste your time with people who are not going to fill out an application.

Warning

Be vigilant against scams. Brand all your photos with a watermark so they cannot be copied and used by other people claiming to have your home available for rent.

References

About the Author

Cari Oleskewicz is a writer and blogger who has contributed to online and print publications including "The Washington Post," "Italian Cooking and Living," "Sasee Magazine" and Pork and Gin. She is based in Tampa, Florida and holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and journalism from Marist College.